Biography of George H. SmithAlameda County, CA Biographies

GEORGE HENRY SMITH
In the sudden death of George H. Smith, who died on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving day, of November, 1927, Oakland
lost one of its representative residents, a man whose life exemplified the highest type of citizenship and whose
career was marked by industry, sobriety, sound judgment and a broad minded interest in everything really worth
while in life. He had long been an active worker in Freemasonry, in which he had repeatedly been honored with the
highest offices, and he commanded to an unusual degree the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.
He was born in San Francisco, California, on the 19th of December, 1863, and when about six months old was brought
by his parents to Oakland, of which city he remained a resident to the time of his death. He received his educational
training in the public schools and spent part of his early years on his father's ranch in Lake county, this state.
Later he entered the employ of the Oakland Hardware Company and was rapidly advanced, being made manager of the
store at the end of three months. After remaining with that concern for a number of years, Mr. Smith, in association
with other gentlemen, engaged in the hardware business on Ninth street, in Oakland, meeting with gratifying success.
During the last eight years of his life he devoted his time and attention to the office of recorder of Aahmes Temple
of the Mystic Shrine and proved a capable and popular officer.

About the time Mr. Smith attained his majority he was made a Mason, in which order he took a deep interest, proving
a capable and faithful worker during the remainder of his life. He was a member of Oakland Lodge, No. 188, A. F.
& A. M., of which he was a past master ; Oakland Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., of which he was a past high priest
; Oakland Council, No. 12, R. & S. M., of which he was past illustrious master and recorder at his death; Oakland
Commandery, No. 11, K. T., of which he was a past eminent commander; Oakland Consistory, No. 2, A. A. S. R., and
Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of which he was recorder. He was buried with full Masonic honors and his funeral
was the largest ever held in the Scottish Rite cathedral here and the second largest Masonic funeral ever held
in Oakland.

In 1886, in Oakland, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Clara Louise Rockwood, who is a native of Ohio, and
who survives him, together with a daughter, Margaret Louise, now the wife of R. C. Horeon, of Oakland, and two
sons, George Rockwood and Lloyd Victor, all of whom live in Oakland; there is also a sister, Mrs. Wilbur Walker,
and a brother, LeRoy Smith, both of Oakland. Mr. Smith was a man of great force of character and attractive personality
and probably no citizen of Oakland had a larger circle of loyal friends than he, while the many beautiful tributes
paid to his loyal and able services and his high standing as a man and citizen attested to the abiding place he
had in the hearts and affections of those who knew him.